You might think it’s no big deal to sail through life without learning how to whip yourself some dinner when you’re hungry or save money for your future, but guess what? It’s not. You have to look after yourself and be able to fly solo so you don’t annoy everyone around you with your demands. Sort out your life by noting these 15 things you’re too old to still be bad at. It’s never too late to learn how to do them.
1. Knowing a few healthy recipes
If you’re living on cold cereal for dinner or expecting your roomies to cook every meal for you, you’re floating through life without knowing how to take care of yourself. You don’t need to be a Masterchef contestant, but you should be able to rustle up home-cooked meals that are healthier for you than store-bought, processed goods. There’s no excuse for not knowing how to cook, as The Guardian points out.
2. Using your washing machine
If you’re an adult but still waiting for your mom to come by to do your laundry, it’s time for a reality check! Knowing how to use your washing machine is a must to prevent laundry piles from growing and multiplying throughout your home. It also extends the life of your clothing.
3. Replacing a flat tire
You never know when you’ll be driving somewhere and end up with a flat tire. It’s so frustrating and can ruin your day. Knowing how to replace a tire means you don’t have to sit on the side of a busy road waiting for the AAA because you’re a strong, independent person who can take care of themselves.
4. Paying bills on time
Part of being a responsible adult is paying your bills on time every month. It means you respect your commitments and know how to keep your credit score in a healthy place. Hey, you never know when you’ll need it for a mortgage or loan.
5. Doing basic home repairs
You can’t always wait for the pros to fix something that’s broken in your home. Sure, it’s not easy to learn tons of DIY, but you can save money and feel empowered by learning some basic home repairs. It might be knowing how to unclog a toilet or caulk your windows. Whatever it is, it’ll boost your confidence!
6. Writing a professional email
With so much interaction occurring via email, you need to know how to write a professional and error-free email to co-workers and prospective employers. It’s such a small thing to learn, but it can help you become more successful in your career.
7. Knowing basic self-defense
Whether you’re a man or woman, knowing a few basic self-defense moves could save your life! This isn’t just about learning how to punch someone in the groin (although that’s a goodie), but it’s also about things like trusting your intuition and being aware of your surroundings.
8. Keeping a tidy home
You don’t have to be a neat freak, but you should keep your home organized and tidy. For starters, it makes a good impression when you bring dates home, and they don’t find cookie crumbs on the couch. But, it also lowers your stress level because you don’t have to waste time trying to find things you need in all the clutter.
9. Having manners
Good manners are something that, sadly, not many people have. But being well-mannered and polite is all about showing other people respect, such as by saying “thank you” and “please” instead of walking around behaving as though the world owes you special treatment. As Headspace points out, good manners cost nothing.
10. Managing stress in a healthy way
Drinking tons of alcohol or junk-fooding your way through stress are huge no-nos. While they might feel good in the moment, you’ll feel bad and sick later. Find other, healthier, ways to deal with stress, such as by kickboxing, writing thoughts in a journal, or chatting to a trusted friend.
11. Expressing your feelings
No one wants to be around someone who bottles up their emotions or unleashes them when it’s inappropriate. It’s childish and can create unnecessary tension with loved ones. Take time to tune into your feelings and express them clearly so you can safeguard your happiness and have healthier, mature relationships.
12. Recycling and upcycling
Both recycling and upcycling are good for the planet! You should throw out plastic and paper in recycling bins instead of in the trash — enough with filling up those landfills, okay? Upcycling, on the other hand, breathes new life into old items you have lying around the house. It’s a great way to be creative, and it helps you save money.
13. Researching a place before you go
It’s never a good idea to fly to a totally different country across the world before learning about its customs, language, and culture. Whether you head over to Google or chat to people you know, learning about a place before you visit it is the responsible thing to do and will prevent you from stressful situations or being seen as a rude traveler.
14. Growing your own veggies
You don’t have to be a pro homesteader or be completely self-sufficient when it comes to food, but enjoying veggies that you’ve grown yourself can help you to feed yourself and your family in a healthy way while saving some money. And hey, you never know when there’ll be food shortages!
15. Saving money
Everyone needs a rainy-day fund to help them get through a challenging time in life. By knowing how to budget and save a bit of money every month, you’ll be in a more financially secure position without having to rely on other people for every penny.
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